Opinions Tracker

[singerjr]

About to purchase another Tracker, keeping the first one for river boating (16' semi-V bass boat). Not one complaint about the first one.<br /><br />Purchasing (although still researching) a new 2002 Targa 18 O/B with 115 HP Merc.<br /><br />Boat is loaded! From foot controlled 55lb - 52" trolling moter, batteries, double console with walk through, 2 livewells - 2 baitwells. Nice seats, 2 rod lockers PLENTY of storage, bells, whistels, and much more.<br /><br />It does have a Hummer fish/depth and I read what many of you think of those, nothing's perfect.<br /><br />Deep V all welded boat, going to use in lakes and Chesapeake Bay.<br /><br />What do yall think. Don't hold back tell me your opinions, you can't hurt my feelings cause my feelings are still in my wallet!<br /><br />Thanks for your help!

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinions Tracker

Cap't. Ultra,<br /><br />Are you some kind of masochist? You're going to get ripped to shreds on this one-except by me. <br /><br />They (Tracker) have come a long way. They have improved they're materials and workmanship.<br /><br />If you are going to keep it a long time, I'd say OK. If not, you are going to get clobbered on the resale value. <br /><br />Looking at their prices lately, with an appropriate sized engine, they didn't seem that great to me. I could buy a Lowe and just touch a Crestliner for the same dollars.<br /><br />The key here is: appropriate sized engine. That's where the money is.

 

[wippb]

Re: Opinions Tracker

What is so wrong with Tracker?????<br />I've tried to get some feedback as well but no bites. Are they really that bad. They look good feel good and have all the bells and whistles. Anybody else?????

 

[singerjr]

Re: Opinions Tracker

djohns,<br /><br />Thanks for your response, all very valid points. I should have posted more info I collected so everyone would have more to go on.<br /><br />The boat package comes standard with 75 HP Merc I am bumping up to 115 that will run the boat full out to 43 - 46 MPH, it would cost about 1900.00 to get it to 50 MPH, not worth it to me.<br /><br />When I went to a recent boat show, I looked at Crestliner (and others) I commented to the Rep that so many of these 18’ deep V's look the same, his response was the hulls and many of the other components come out of the same factory. All important specs are identical. He ran down a list of boats witch included Lowe, Crestliner, Fisher, Tracker, Nitro and the list went on.<br /><br />He also told me that that many of the different boats are ultimately owned by the same corporate entity, they just slap a different name on them and the prices vary with the name/history and some of the creature comforts inside the boat. I have all the brochures and the equivalent boats, all mirror one another in general appearance and specs but not price. Tracker and the boats made by them have lifetime warrantees on the hull, Crestliner 20 years.<br /><br />As for the quality issues you raise, very valid too! I think those issues have been addressed by Tracker. In the early 90’s things began to change, mid 90’s I purchased my 1st Tracker (riveted boat) In 2000 Tracker went all welded on about 80% of their models. <br /><br />I have a 1999 Tracker brochure, last riveted hull, according to NADA the boat has lost less than a grand in value in four model years. I don’t think that’s bad at all. Tracker has a pretty good rep around my area.<br /> <br />I’ve been a boat owner for 23 years, been a boater for 35 years (family boats when I was a kid, BIG boat/fishing family, including commercial fishing) been around the block a few times and made MANY mistakes. I’ve learned to do my homework first, and this board is part of that homework. I greatly appreciate all input. <br /><br />djohns, with this post I’m not trying to dismiss your comments, as a matter of fact I wish you would expound on them and tell me what and why you feel the way you do. I hope many of you out there comment on the boat and the company. It would help me out a great deal, as I said before you won’t hurt my feelings my feelings are in my wallet.<br /><br />Below is the URL where you can find the boat. http://www.trackerboats.com/modelpage.cfm?boat_id=82

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinions Tracker

Capt.<br /><br />Thanks. I actually was defending them in sort of a left handed sort of way. I restore alot of boats for the fun of it. I avoided Trackers in the past for the following reasons.<br /><br />1. The wood was of either a low quality or was not treated very well-thus every piece was rotten.<br /><br />2. The riveting was more sparse than other brands. Nothing wrong with rivets as long as there are enough of them properly installed.<br /><br />3. The wiring left something to be desired. Thiner guage-non "tinned" marine.<br /><br />Other than that, the designs were good for their intended purpose.<br /><br />I was looking at some today at the boat show and LIKED what I saw. I'd own one.<br /><br />The Tracker Company is owned by Bass Pro Shops-Johny Morris. Everything this guy touches turns to gold. He has taken the line a long way. The new stretch formed AL Targa is beautiful. They've got a winner on their hands there.<br /><br />As far as all the AL boats coming out of the same factory-that's nonsense. Alot of them are built in the same area. True, some companies are owned by conglomerates-Genmar being the biggest.<br /><br />A warranty is only as good as the company that writes it. In the case of Tracker-I wouldn't worry.<br /><br />Your perception of where the money is was right on. You looked at the optional engines and chose one that will more than adequately do the job. You'll be fine with it. Alot of the complaints earlier came from novice boaters that didn't know what they were buying and even less about how to take care of it. ENJOY!!

 

[singerjr]

Re: Opinions Tracker

Well one good thing is the only wood left is in the floor (not hatches or seats) just floor and it’s treated and carries a lifetime warranty like the hull.<br /><br />Thanks for your opinions djohns, I hope others keep coming, going to two boat shows in next two weeks and will decide soon.

 

[wippb]

Re: Opinions Tracker

I guess in my case the issue was what boat can I buy on the limited budget that I had. When I buy I usually try to be careful. My boat looked so good when i was buying but by the end of the summer when the transom started to pull away from the splash deck, I felt ripped. This would be the bad wood that you are talking about. My boat is a 1990 and now I am learning more about some of Tracker's other faults and what years that they came from. This gives me some insight as to where to look for other possible problems when I am doing my repairs to the transom this spring. I guess I'm just being over protective of my baby.<br />Capt good luck in your boat buying quest.<br />Djohns your comments are always appreciated.

 

[singerjr]

Re: Opinions Tracker

Wipper,<br /><br />Shame about your problems with getting help on your boat, I saw your other post on the site about Reps brushing you off. I’ve hade a great relationship with my Tracker Dealer. I have a 1999 purchased in 1998 and they have always been very helpful in every respect. The boat has held up very well in 4 seasons, and I’ve put it through the ringer from rocky rivers to the choppy Chesapeake Bay. <br /><br />Probably competition around here helps a lot, I have several Dealerships (in 2 states) within an hour from me and one more near where I work. An hour may seem far but I live in the country and bread is 20 to 30 min away, so having several resources within an hour is close. At a recent boat show there were 3 Tracker Dealers there.<br /><br />I’ll be going to the Tracker shop this week and I’ll see if I can get a phone number or name at the factory you can talk to. I don’t know about the warrantees when your boat was made but current warrantees are transferable. What boat do you have? So I can find out what the warrantee is and if it was transferable.

 

[wippb]

Re: Opinions Tracker

Thanks Capt<br />Look people don't we have the nicest folks on this here board.<br />The boat is a 1990 Deep V16', side console, 60HP Evinrude. Motor is good. The serial number from the plate riveted to the back of the boat is BUJ91160c090. I live in Canada so I don't know if the same applies here for the warrantees but it's worth a try. Thanks again Capt.

 

[my new fishmaster]

Re: Opinions Tracker

Sounds like a buy to me if its a good price the 18foot trackers are a nice size boat. You will love the dual console and tops that connect to the windsheild. I would never buy another non dual console again. I ended up buying a 96 Starcraft fishmaster 170 and love that **** boat the colors are right on and it came a wireless trolling motor for the front.

 

[singerjr]

Re: Opinions Tracker

Well it must not be too bad a boat because when something is a bad buy it gets ripped here.<br /><br />I just recently signed up to this board but I've been looking around in here for quite some time.<br /><br />I do that before I join anything, even I-boards. I look before I leap. It's very easy to give out personal info to the wrong people these days and than the spam starts rolling in.<br /><br />There seems to be some really good and honest people here and I do apreciate your help.<br /><br />Thanks again and wipper I'm going to try and get that info for you this week.

 

[KCook]

Re: Opinions Tracker

I agree strongly with djohns19. My '93 Tracker was nothing to brag about. No problem with the wood or rivets. But the wiring was a hopeless rat's nest, every screw was rusted, and the console had the wigglys. Swore I would never buy another Tracker.<br /><br />However, in view of this thread asking about the Targa 18, I made a point to look at this boat at the Phoenix boat show. MAN, these Targas are at least a couple of notches above the standard Tracker in the fit-and-finish department. I couldn't believe I was looking at a Tracker. The Targa is a beauty and I would not hesitate to buy one. Big thumbs up!<br /><br />Kelly Cook<br />TX17 survivor

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinions Tracker

Kelly,<br /><br />You and I looked at exactly the same one-small world!

 

[KCook]

Re: Opinions Tracker

djohns19 - Roger that. First time I had seen the Avalanche and Triton's new aluminum line too. Fun show.<br /><br />Always nice to find somebody who knows aluminum in this fiberglass world <br /><br />Kelly Cook<br />kellycook1@earthlink.net

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinions Tracker

KCook,<br /><br />Grew up with em', love em'. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.<br /><br />I haven't been in a single jetliner made of fiberglass.. They even have rivets!!!

 

[singerjr]

Re: Opinions Tracker

Hey - Hey now what about the Tracker, whats this airplane rivets and glass talk about???<br />_____________________________________________<br /><br />Just kidin ;o}><br /><br />I like the aluminum boats too, I've had wood, glass but more metal boats than anything! And with the new technology that creates curves and roled edges I think we will see more and more aluminum boats. There are many advantages to them.<br /><br />With the same amount of money I'm putting down on this Targa I could get a very nice glass boat but as djohns said beauty...<br /><br />There are a lot of boats in my family - all glass but mine, it,s nice to have a forum like this with real metal around!;o}>

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinions Tracker

Cap'n U.<br /><br />Love those rivets. Like "glass" boats too. Can't wait to replace a floor or transom using the "chainsaw" method like EVIN300 promotes.<br /><br />I like square sterns and bolted on swim platforms.<br /><br />My father's ride: a B-24 Liberator, started out as a "flying boat". <br /><br />Go for it. You'll have more fun, with less $$$. Towing, cruising, fishing, etc!!!

 

[KCook]

Re: Opinions Tracker